Tracey O’Brien, Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of Cancer Institute NSW, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Monumental moment in Canberra today for women living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
Breast Cancer Network Australia launched their ‘From Invisibility to Influence’ progress report on MBC reforms, alongside the first ever national estimates from AIHW, making Australia the first country in the world to accurately quantify how many people are living with MBC. For the first time, we know around 21,000 Australians are living with metastatic breast cancer, about double previous estimates.
Minister Butler captured it perfectly, reflecting on the power of consumer advocacy and the ‘irresistible force’ created by the late Peta Murphy, Breast Cancer Network Australia cancer and so many brave women with lived experience who refused to let this need be ignored.
Without counting people, we cannot design good policy, plan workforce, or deliver the care and support that nearly 21,000 women and their families deserve. It sounds simple. It is not. This world-first work only happened through deep collaboration between consumers, researchers, states and territories, the Commonwealth and AIHW. Cancer Institute NSW was proud to play a part.
A special shout out to the dynamic duo of Vicki Durston and Kirsten Pilatti and the whole BCNA team, rightly called out by Minister Butler as the ‘gold standard’ for patient voice and advocacy.
Most importantly, this is not about a number. It is about every person living with metastatic breast cancer, those who love them, and honouring those who are no longer with us by changing the future.”
More posts featuring Tracey O’Brien.
